Your Wild Place

Part 3 in the series: Timber Wars, From Conservation to Collaboration with Zach Hagadone

Most people living in the Northwest are at least somewhat familiar with the infamous Timber Wars. But the history of the Timber Wars is far more complex and dynamic than we are led to believe. There was strife and a clashing of cultures, of course. But there is also a rich history of collaboration between the timber industry, conservationists, and government entities like the Forest Service. Join us as Zach Hadagone, Editor of The Reader walks us through the lead-up to the Timber Wars. This is the second episode in a three-part series. So stay tuned for more!

Most people living in the Northwest are at least somewhat familiar with the infamous Timber Wars. But the history of the Timber Wars is far more complex and dynamic than we are led to believe. There was strife and a clashing of cultures, of course. But there is also a rich history of collaboration between the timber industry, conservationists, and government entities like the Forest Service. Join us as Zach Hadagone, Editor of The Reader walks us through the lead-up to the Timber Wars. This is the first episode in a three-part series. So stay tuned for more!

In the latest episode of Your Wild Place, we talk to local mushroom extraordinaire, Don Childress, about foraging for fungi in the Scotchmans. Our wild backyard is full of nourishing food – berries, greens, and mushrooms are abundant. But knowing how to forage safely and responsibly is key to being a friend of our forests. Don will tell you all about the fungi that are harvestable in the spring as well as the fall. You'll be surprised to know that morels are not the only delicious and abundant edible mushrooms in our local forests. Your wild place is a Podcast produced by the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness about the wild people and places in North Idaho and Northwest Montana.

Do grizzly bears live in the Scotchmans? What's one of the most common causes of moose mortality in the Idaho Panhandle? How do mountain goats survive the winter on Scotchman Peak? Laura Wolf has the answers to all of your local wildlife questions.

In the latest episode of Your Wild Place, we talk to Don Clark about big cat hunting and Montana living. Don Clark is a retired teacher, and avid sportsman, a resident of Libby, Montana, and a passionate advocate for Wilderness. You'll hear some of Don's wild stories and find out what happens when a seasoned hunter and wildlife biologist get together to lead a gaggle of teens on a mountain lion hunt.

Sandpoint High School student Olivia Lynch describes a riveting experience with changing weather conditions in the Selkirks that offered her wisdom and clarity for life.

Join us for our second winning scholarship essay podcast from recent Clark Fork High School graduate Wesley Simko. Wes shares a story of lessons learned from the unpredictability and freedom of the outdoors.

Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness scholarship competition winner Madeline Wuthrich reads her essay "Fishing!" on this episode of Your Wild Place. Join us in listening to this story of family, fish, and fun in the outdoors. Congratulations Madeline!

How can we incorporate the natural world into our mental health care routine? How does place impact our state of mind? Listen to this episode of Your Wild Place as we discuss these questions and more with psychotherapist Sheila Murray. You can learn more about her work at https://www.sheilamurray.com/

In episode 28 of Your Wild Place, we're listening to an outsider's perspective on the wilds of Montana. Rico Maloney shares his epic adventure through western Montana while waxing poetic about the state. If you love Montana, you'll love this story!

Every Christmas, we're reminded of one of our favorite Christmas stories. Caleb's Miracle by Sandy Compton is a classic Christmas tale of 1889 Montana. It's Montana's birth year, 1889, and the Blascomb boys and their father, Bill, are headed to Dillon for some Christmas shopping. As they ride up the Beaverhead River, they encounter the Thornton family, late of Texas, and fear facing a Christmas without gifts. You can purchase an illustrated copy of Caleb's Miracle here: http://bluecreekpress.com/books/calebs-miracle/

Learn a little more about Henry David Thoreau as Phil Hough, Justine Murray, and Jim Mellon share their love for his essay "Walking". Hear a few passages from "Walking", as read by Jim Mellon, while sauntering in the woods or just relaxing after a long day. Full Text of "Walking": https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1022/1022-h/1022-h.htm

We're all thankful for wild places. Hear a few reasons some FSPW board and staff are. Why are you thankful for wild places? We'd love to hear form you!

Join Britta as she chats with Drew Seitz, an instructor with NOLS. Drew's had some amazing times in Wilderness areas. And not just his backyard Wilderness areas in the Wind River Range. Join us for an armchair adventure on this episode of Your Wild Place.

The Unlikely Thru-Hiker is the story of a young black man setting off from the city with an extremely overweight pack and a willfully can-do attitude. What follows are lessons on preparation, humility, race relations, and nature's wild unpredictability. Through it all, Derick (Mr. Fabulous) refuses to let any challenge squash his inner Pollyanna, persevering with humor, tenacity, and an unshakeable commitment to grooming that sees him from Georgia to Maine.

Join us for a conversation with Alan and Jesika Harper, a couple that shares a love of exploring Wilderness areas on horseback. Find out how it all ties in with Louis L'Amour on this episode of Your Wild Place.

It's a beautiful fall in the Scotchmans and there's every reason to get outside for a little escape. What better time to reflect on the importance and value of nature than the present? Join Henry as he reads a selection from Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay "Nature."

This week we hear from Eric Bond and Andrew Sorg. Eric and Andrew worked in the Sandpoint, Idaho, tech industry early in their careers, but left for the big city in search of something more. A few years later, they found themselves right back where they started. Listen as Eric and Andrew share the path back to their wild place.

With hunting season just getting started across the northwest, we thought we'd ask our friend Kenton Clairmont what we could do to get in shape for the season. Kenton talks about his Train to Hunt events and programs aimed at keeping hunters healthy and successful. To learn more, check out the website at http://www.traintohunt.com/.

Hear some of the great wildlife stories submitted to Montana Wilderness Association's Kootenai Critters program. If you haven't found out what your secret Kootenai Critter identity is yet, there's still time (https://wildmontana.org/wild-life/quiz-whats-your-secret-kootenai-critter-identity) Stories in this episode read by Henry Jorden, Allie Maloney, and Britta Mireley.

Libby, Mont., author Jack DeShazer loves the Scotchman Peaks. He's been all over the western United States and he always finds himself coming back to the Scotchmans. This chapter about the magic of the wild Scotchmans is from his book, "The Land Beyond All Roads."

The 3rd installment in our series highlighting the 2020 Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness scholarship winners features Libby High School graduate, Ryan Goodman. Watch for Ryan's winning essay and more in the Voices in the Wilderness column published periodically in The Western News, Sanders County Ledger, Sandpoint Reader, and Bonner County Daily Bee. For a history of Voices in the Wilderness, visit scotchmanpeaks.org Looking for the first 2 installments? Check out A Hiker to Geiger Lakes and Digging Trail with the YCC in this feed.

Join Ray for our third and final installment of the Project ASCENT series!

Join Laura Wolf, a wildlife biologist with Idaho Fish & Game, to learn all about mountain goats! You'll also find out who wrote the book called "A Beast the Color of Winter." If you want to help keep mountain goats wild, visit our website at https://www.scotchmanpeaks.org/you-can-help/leave-mountain-goats-wild/

Ray rings in Independence Day with Freedom to Choose, a letter by Hugh O'Brian. Happy Independence Day!

Join Phil on this tale about two Sandpoint, Idaho, breweries: Utara Brewing and Matchwood Brewing. Why Sandpoint? Why beer? If you find yourself in Sandpoint, we recommend both!

We're venturing deep into the Yaak Valley of Northwest Montana on this week's episode of Your Wild Place. Troy, MT native Ashley South tells us about her childhood, re-discovering her wild place, and living off the grid in a tiny house. Enjoy!

In part 2 of the Project Ascent series, hear some great stories about missing bear spray that leads to a missing fishing pole and more. This episode focuses in on what the Project Ascent youth outdoor education programs actually look like. What do the kids learn? Where do they go exploring? Missed the backstory on how Project Ascent came to be? Check it out in Ep 7: Project Ascent Part 1. This episode sponsored by Project Ascent of Thompson Falls, Mont.

This week is the second installment in our series highlighting the 2020 Friends of Scotchman Peaks scholarship competition winners. In this episode, we'll hear from Thompson Falls, Mont., High School senior Ethan Brown as he reads his winning essay “The Star Peak Trail and the YCC.” Watch for Ethan's winning essay and more in the Voices in the Wilderness column published periodically in The Western News, the Sanders County Ledger, the Sandpoint Reader, and the Bonner County Daily Bee. For a history of Voices in the Wilderness, visit scotchmanpeaks.org/category/voices…the-wilderness/ Did you miss the first scholarship winner? Check out Moxley Roesler-Begalke reading "A Hike to Geiger Lakes: An Eye Opening Experience for a Young Boy" in the Your Wild Place feed.

Brad Smith of Idaho Conservation Leagues talks about grizzly bears. Specifically some stories of their walkabouts in Idaho and Montana. Who new they could safely cross I-90? Also, how do you tell a grizzly and a black bear apart? Hint: It's not their color. This episode is sponsored by Idaho Conservation League. Learn more at Idahoconservation.org.

This week we're introducing the first in our series highlighting the 2020 Friends of Scotchman Peaks scholarship competition winners. In this episode, we'll hear from Troy, Mont., High School senior Moxley Roesler Begalke as he reads his winning essay “A Hike to Geiger Lakes: An Eye Opening Experience for a Young Boy”. Look for Moxley's winning essay and more in the Voices in the Wilderness column published periodically in The Western News, the Sanders County Ledger, the Sandpoint Reader, and the Bonner County Daily Bee. For a history of Voices in the Wilderness, visit scotchmanpeaks.org/category/voices-in-the-wilderness/

Learn all about elk antlers, and that porcupines eat tree bark, then hear from Sandy Compton in his piece "Antlers, Love, and Wilderness." Sponsored by Blue Creek Press of Heron, Mont. (bluecreekpress.com)

In this bonus episode, we're celebrating moms. Hear from 4 moms with kids ranging from 9 to 60. They share stories about spending time in the wild with their families. From living in a teepee when Mt. St. Helens erupted to backpacking with a newborn, cloth diapers and all. Happy Mother's Day!

Ray Brown sat down (via Zoom) with Project ASCENT's founder, Rob Christensen. They talked for so long about Project ASCENT and what led Rob to be passionate about getting kids outdoors, we turned it into a multi-episode mini series. Part 1 is about Rob and his journey. What led him to becoming an educator. How he ended up in Thompson Falls, Mont. And a little bit of mindfulness. Learn more about Project ASCENT at https://www.projectascent.org/

Henry talks with Allie Maloney from Montana Wilderness Association about their Kootenai Critters project. Are you a grizzly bear? Maybe a bald eagle? This episode sponsored by Montana Wilderness Association. Discover your inner Kootenai Critter at https://wildmontana.org/wild-life/quiz-whats-your-secret-kootenai-critter-identity

Did spending 100 days in the middle of nowhere at a fire lookout prepare Amy Pearson for covid-19? The answer and excerpts from her book "100 Days of Solitude."

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day with Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness.

Washington State University student, Katie, shares 3 stories from Aldo Leopold's "A Sand County Almanac." Spend a few minutes in rural Wisconsin in the first half of the 20th century.

Join Duncan Adams while he interviews Libby, Mont., author, Jack DeShazer. Jack's book, The Land Beyond All Roads, is an ode to wild country. And like many good books, was written as a gift to a special woman in his life.

Ray, Britta, and Jeremy talk birds with their kids. All with very different outcomes...

Join Heron, Mont., native Sandy Compton as he revisits a childhood spent "Growing up Wild." This episode sponsored by Blue Creek Press.